Method for Assigning Addresses to Nodes of a Bus System, and Installation

ABSTRACT

A method for assigning addresses to nodes of a bus system, and installation, 
     bus nodes being furnished with an identical delivery address,
 
where
     (i) an assigning entity, particularly a central computer, start-up computer or bus node sends information to the delivery address via the bus system,   (ii) the information includes a first address,   (iii) an action is performed whose effect is detected by a first bus node,   (iv) the first bus node accepts the first address,   (v) the first bus node sends a response to the assigning entity,   (vi) steps (i) through (v) are repeated, each time with a further address for a further bus node.

The present invention relates to a method for assigning addresses to nodes of a bus system, and installation.

It is well-known to assign a fixed address to bus nodes with the aid of DIP switches during production or when put into operation. Thus, during the start-up of an installation having such bus nodes, each is assigned an address. Installations are also understood to be machines.

Alternatively, an address is assigned to a bus node such as a drive or the like when a computer for assigning parameters is connected and the address is imported by it.

In the present document, the entire respective apparatus is denoted as bus node, thus, not only the electronics having bus capability, but also, for example, the entire associated drive including gear unit and motor. Another example is a decentralized controller.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to further develop an easier assignment of addresses.

According to the present invention, the object is achieved by the method having the features set forth in claim 1.

Important features of the present invention with respect to the method is that it is provided for assigning addresses to nodes of a bus system,

bus nodes being furnished with an identical delivery address, where (i) an assigning entity, particularly a central computer, start-up computer or bus node sends information to the delivery address via the bus system, (ii) the information includes a first address, (iii) an action is performed whose effect is detected by a first bus node, (iv) the first bus node accepts the first address, (v) the first bus node sends a response to the assigning entity, (vi) steps (i) through (v) are repeated, each time with a further address for a further bus node.

In this context, it is advantageous that the start-up procedure is able to be carried out much faster, since it is now no longer necessary to produce a connection to a start-up means, particularly a point-to-point connection to be implemented at each drive in succession; rather, only a simple action must be performed. For example, the operator is able to move through the installation and identify the drives one after another by various action triggerings. Thus, a successive activation is feasible, and the address of the respective drive is assignable.

In one advantageous development, the action is performed by a person. This has the advantage that the operator must make a mere gesture or speak a special word. The bus node is appropriately implemented so that this action is recognizable, e.g., by an angle-of-rotation sensor or a voice-recognition system.

In one advantageous refinement, the addresses are assigned in automated fashion during the production of at least one pre-completed installation part or the entire installation. This offers the advantage that an installation part is able to be produced in advance, and in so doing, the addresses are already assignable. In this case, the action is executable by the manufacturing machine or manufacturing facility for manufacturing the installation part.

In particular, the bus nodes are able to be realized in such a way that, upon switching on the supply voltage to the installation, the bus nodes are fully brought on line with an individual time delay, so that the addresses are then assigned as a function thereof. For example, the time delay is realizable by electronic components. In this way, the addresses are even reassignable each time the installation is switched off and switched on again.

Not only the energy supply is as supply voltage, but also the commutation of the 24-volt low-voltage supply or of signals from an inverter already addressed, to the following inverter in a serial cabling of this supply voltage or signal used for the control.

In one advantageous embodiment, the action is a movement of a part of the bus node disposed in a manner allowing mechanical movement, such as a shaft, drive shaft, motor shaft, intermediate shaft, rotor or the like. The advantage here is that sensors or components at hand in any case are usable for detecting the action.

In one advantageous development, the action is a switching-in of the electrical energy supply for the bus node (be it control supply and/or energy supply). This offers the advantage that use is made of a particularly simple action necessary in any case. An especially rapid start-up is thus made possible.

In one advantageous refinement, the action is a clearing of a controller inhibit, particularly a clamping of a wire jumper, at the bus node. The advantage in this case is that an action to be carried out anyway for safety reasons is able to be used.

In one advantageous embodiment, for example, the action is the actuation of a digital input, thus applying a voltage, or pressing a switch or button. This has the advantage that actions which can be performed particularly easily and quickly are able to be selected.

In one advantageous development, the action is the operation of an actuation means such as a potentiometer, rotary knob or the like. This offers the advantage that particularly simple rotary movements are executable by hand and usable as action.

In one advantageous refinement, the action is the actuation of an air interface or infrared interface. The advantage in this case is that a contact-free execution of the action is usable.

In one advantageous embodiment, one kind of action from several kinds of actions is used as action for each bus node. This has the advantage that several kinds of actions, e.g., a turning of the potentiometer or an infrared pulse train, are usable.

In one advantageous refinement, the same kind of action is used for each bus node. This has the advantage that no improper action is able to trigger an address change.

In one advantageous development, different kinds of actions are used different bus nodes. The advantage in this case is that a suitable action may be used depending on the type of bus node. For example, in the case of a drive as bus node, a shaft is rotatable, and given a controller as bus node, e.g., an input may be actuated, since depending on the design, such a controller cannot have a shaft, for example.

In one advantageous embodiment, a broadcast telegram is used in step (i). This has the advantage that types of commands already available in any case are able to be used.

A broadcast telegram relates to telegram information sent to a plurality of nodes. A response first ensues after the completed action, thus is not initiated directly by the broadcast telegram. In this context, however, only the bus node to which the information has been sent responds.

In one advantageous embodiment, the accepted address is effective as address of the bus node in the bus system. This has the advantage that the delivery address has overwrite capability and is able to be deactivated.

Important features with respect to the installation are that it includes a bus system having bus nodes, the bus nodes being able to be furnished with addresses according to a previously described method during production or start-up of the installation. In so doing, a stipulated assignment is favorable.

In this context, it is advantageous that the addresses are able to be stored in non-volatile fashion, and therefore after production or start-up, the bus nodes are able to receive information directed to this address. In particular, it is possible to dispense with DIP switches for setting the address.

In one advantageous refinement, means for performing at least one action are provided at the bus node. This has the advantage that an actuation means or a sensor for detecting an action is provided. In particular a sensor is used, which is available in any case.

Moreover, the present invention has the advantage that drives exchanged by the plant operator are able to be identified, and if it is a drive exchanged individually in the bus system, it can be set automatically to its valid address.

Further advantages are yielded from the dependent claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 central computer -   2, 3, 4 bus nodes -   5 data bus -   6 energy supply

The present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to figures:

FIG. 1 shows a facility according to the present invention. It is an installation in which various devices, e.g., drives or decentralized electronic modules such as decentralized controllers are provided as bus nodes 2, 3, 4. Data is exchanged between bus nodes 2, 3, 4 and a central computer 1 via data bus 5.

In addition, bus nodes 2, 3, 4 are connected to an energy supply 6.

The bus nodes are to be furnished with an individual address in order to permit identification. Thus, data is able to be sent out to determinable receivers.

The method of the present invention for the addressing, thus an assignment of addresses to the bus nodes, is carried out in that during production of the bus node, its address is set to a delivery address.

During start-up of the installation, an address is now assigned to each bus node. This is accomplished in that the central computer sends to the delivery address the information that the receiver of this message should set its address to the value sent along at the same time. This may be sent as a “broadcast telegram”, thus in the form of a message intended for all connected bus nodes.

However, the respective bus node only executes this command if an additional action determinable beforehand takes place. After executing the command, the bus node—automatically or upon demand of the superordinate controller—signals back the completion of the execution to the central computer. It then repeats the sending of a message with a different address. However, the next bus node again only executes this command if in turn an additional action determinable beforehand takes place. The type of action is the same for all bus nodes.

Different actions are realized in different exemplary embodiments:

1) The switching-on of the energy supply is provided as a first exemplary action. Because it is provided that during the start-up, one bus node after the other receives this action, an individual address is ensured. 2) An alternative action is the movement of a part of the drive such as the shaft or the like. 3) Another alternative action is the clearing of a controller inhibit. For example, this is feasible by the clamping of a wire jumper at the bus node. 4) Another alternative action is able to be realized, for example, by the actuation of a digital input, thus applying a voltage or pressing a switch or button. 5) A further alternative action is practicable, for example, by the operation of an actuation means such as a potentiometer, rotary knob or the like. 6) Another alternative action is achievable, for example, by the actuation of an air interface or infrared interface, e.g., by transmitting a suitable signal.

In further exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, no central computer is present; rather, the function is carried out by a bus node or a computer connected temporarily by way of example to the data bus.

In further exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the energy supply and the data transmission are accomplished in a manner integrated in one cable system. On one hand, this is possible via a hybrid cable system which includes power lines and bus lines, or by higher-frequency modulation of the bus information on the energy-supply cable.

In further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the bus nodes are fed in contactless fashion by the energy-supply system. In this case, a primary conductor is to be run in the installation, and the bus nodes are equipped with secondary coils which are able to be inductively coupled to the primary conductor, in order to switch in the energy supply for the bus node. For example, to that end, the primary conductor is wrapped around a housing area of the bus node.

Bus nodes may be drives. Inverters, inverter motors, decentralized controllers or decentralized electronic devices or the like are usable as bus nodes, as well.

In further exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a different type of action is assigned to each bus node. However, a number of actions are also assignable, so that in response to the occurrence of one of the actions at a bus node, the bus node executes the command and sends the response to the central computer. 

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A bus system, comprising: an assigning entity; a plurality of bus nodes; a bus interconnecting the assigning entity and the plurality of bus nodes, the plurality of bus nodes furnished with delivery addresses, wherein (i) the assigning entity is configured to send information to the delivery addresses via the bus, the information including a first address; (ii) a first bus node of the plurality of bus nodes is configured to detect an effect of a performing of an at least one action; (iii) the first bus node is configured to accept the first address; (iv) the first bus node is configured to send a response to the assigning entity, wherein the response occurs after the performance of the action, and the performance of the action occurs after the sending the information; and (i) to (iv) are repeated each time with a further address for a further bus node.
 20. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the bus nodes include at least one of (a) drives, (b) inverters, (c) inverter motors, (d) decentralized controllers, and (e) decentralized electronic devices.
 21. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the assigning entity includes at least one of (a) a central computer, (b) a start-up computer, and (c) a bus node.
 22. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the bus nodes are furnished with delivery addresses during at least one of (a) production and (b) start-up of an installation.
 23. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the addresses are assigned in automated fashion during production of at least one of (a) at least one pre-completed installation part and (b) an entire installation.
 24. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the action includes a movement of a part of the bus nodes disposed in a manner allowing mechanical movement.
 25. The bus system according to claim 24, wherein the part includes at least one of (a) a shaft, (b) a drive shaft, (c) a motor shaft, (d) an intermediate shaft, and (e) a rotor.
 26. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein a device is configured to perform the action at the bus nodes, the at least one action performed for identification of the bus nodes.
 27. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the action is performed by a person, the action including one of (i) making a gesture and (ii) speaking.
 28. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the action includes a switching-on of an electric energy supply for the bus nodes.
 29. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the action includes a switching-on of at least one of (a) an electric power-energy supply for the bus nodes, (b) a supply voltage for signal electronics, (c) a 24-volt supply voltage, and (d) a signal.
 30. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the bus nodes are arranged such that at least one of (a) an energy supply and (b) a signal-electronics supply voltage is switchable in series.
 31. The bus system according to claim 30, wherein the bus nodes at least one of (a) switches in and (b) releases at least one of (i) the supply voltage and (ii) the signals to a following bus node.
 32. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the action includes at least one of (a) a clearing of a controller inhibit and (b) a clamping of a wire jumper at the bus nodes.
 33. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the action includes at least one of (a) actuation of a digital input to apply a voltage and (b) pressing of at least one of (i) a switch and (ii) a button.
 34. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the action includes operation of at least one of (a) an actuation device, (b) a potentiometer, and (c) a rotary knob.
 35. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the action includes actuation of at least one of (a) an air interface and (b) an infrared interface.
 36. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein one kind of action from several kinds of actions is used as action for each bus node.
 37. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein a same kind of action is used for each bus node.
 38. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein a different kind of action is used for different bus nodes.
 39. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the information includes a broadcast telegram.
 40. The bus system according to claim 39, wherein the response is not initiated directly by the broadcast telegram.
 41. The bus system according to claim 19, wherein the accepted address is effective as an address of the respective bus node in the bus system. 